Newsletter #252

Thank goodness those debates are over! When I hear people repeating themselves again and again, I think they
are either senile or running for office. In this case, perhaps both.

FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO GO AROUND IN CIRCLES FOR THEY SHALL BE KNOWN AS BIG WHEELS
Now, I'm all for finding treasures in the street. I live in New York City, and sometimes people here toss out some very valuable things. But I don't advocate collecting anything that requires bolt cutters to acquire. Police in Berlin entered a woman's home and found close to 80 bicycles there, piled up in high stacks. The bicycles were all stolen from the streets of the city, apparently by the lady in question, who allegedly used bolt cutters to free them from their locks. Most bikes are stolen by drug addicts, said the police, who use them to obtain quick cash. The suspect, who obviously is a real collector, simply took them home and piled them up. I admit that there are probably some more creative display ideas out there, but hey, a collection is a collection, no? Police have now set up a date for bike owners to come and identify their property.

GOING STRAIGHT - TO THE BANK DEPARTMENT
How many convicted felons serve their time, are released, and wind up back in the slammer in no time? Well, not George Vargas, 53, of Springfield, Mass. The twice-convicted (on drug charges) ex-prisoner put a skill he learned in jail to good use. He now makes handbags out of empty bags from Fritos, Doritos, Cheetos, Ruffles and Funnyuns. The bags sell for $200 each, but orders are piling up, and the price may soon increase. The bags are understandably very colorful. No word on how delicious they smell.

JUST WHAT WE NEED - ANOTHER LATE-ENTRY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
Why didn't we all see this coming? Mattel Inc. has launched a presidential campaign for its popular fashion doll, Barbie, at its flagship Toys R Us store in Manhattan's Time Square. Their press release says it is, "promising to be a strong 2004 collectible not only for Barbie collectors, but for political collectors, as well." As with all the others, this candidate apparently has a rich fantasy life.

We're off to a familial visit for a few days, and antiquing is not on the menu, which means that, when it comes to hunting and gathering, more for you! Have a great week, Accumulators. Happy hunting!